Texsox

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 08:07 AM) But you keep leaving out the hundreds of millions of innocent American's who will end up bearing the cost of illegal immigration in the long run. As our Presidential candidates have pointed out on many occasions, social services aren't cheap, and neither is supporting another 100 million people to our south who pay nothing in taxes, yet are receiving American dollars as their second biggest national revenue source. Let's not play like this is just a benefit for the US with no cost to us. Yeah innocent people are going to get harmed no matter what happens, but it also isn't the rest of the countries fault that a sector of our country based their economic status on illegal activity. If the standard is that you can't stop something that could economically hurt people, you are telling me that you shouldn't stop the illegal drug trade, pirating media, black market activities, car theft chopshops, etc. No, we have laws for a reason, and we shouldn't be held hostage to a small portion of our country who believes our laws are for everyone else. I was referring to the legal tourists that visit here. Just like those camera toting folks snapping pictures of Buckingham Fountain and the Sears Tower, we get them too. It is a huge chunk of our economy. You are so right about the social services costs, it is going to be huge. As soon as we finally get those jobs on the books, whomever is working them, will be taking those benefits. It is a huge cost and it has been avoided thus far by the hiring of illegals off the books. And a huge reason that politicians have not been proactive in solving this. I'm curious about the money sent to Mexico, and this is more up yours and Kaps expertise. Mexican-nationals, legal and illegal are sending that much back. That would be after they pay their normal living expenses here in the US. This would be their savings. How is that different than you or I investing in an overseas market, buying a foreign car, clothes made in China, etc.? We report the foreign markets on the news, so I assume that enough Americans are investing in those markets.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 03:30 PM) And those children get taught in bilingual classes, further eating up scarce educational resources teaching kids in spanish that should know english before getting into the public school to begin with, because the parents can't and/or won't learn english enough to speak it at home, etc., so English is at best a second language to them, when if they are going to be citizens, it should be a first language, if possible. Oh, and the birthright citizenship also needs to stop. What we see here when kids transfer from Mexico schools is they are a year or two ahead in Math and Science. So the extra time for language comes from less time for Math. That of course would not be the same for the first year students. There are also native kids who are not as developed in certain areas, and that takes up time. Any class, any subject, and the strugglers hurt the fast achievers, it doesn't matter their nation of origin.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 02:19 PM) So the ability to speak a language is all you need?? How about trying, at least a little, to become legal? And I think these studies are all BS. In my senior sem for law school a woman is doing her study on English only laws. We get in these types of debates ALL the time. She quotes study after study about how language trends are increasing and how they are different than past immigration rushes (though she still can't comprehend the problem with having ~10M people who can't speak a lick of english). But the studies are worthless as they are all based on census data. Guess what big chunk of the population is not included in the census? The section that no speaka de ingles. The economy is now global in nature, business prizes employees who can speak foreign languages. Would it not make sense that the current immigrants are facing a world where speaking English just is not as important than 100 years ago and any trends would reflect that? Don't we receive what we reinforce and reward? Now I happen to live in an area where most of the Mexican population is bilingual. The joke is, if you speak three languages you are multilingual, if you speak two languages, you are bilingual, if you speak one language you are gringo. The trend now is the grandparents and the grandchildren are bilingual and the parents only speak English. The current feeling is speak Spanish in the home and English in public. I have a great deal of empathy for anyone who tries to pick up a new language during middle age. I could not, despite many hours of individual teaching and practice, plus working in Mexico.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 01:33 PM) Texsox- One thing I don't understand from reading your posts is this sense of a "right" of Mexicans (or immigrants in general) to come here or to have access to our economy. When did that become part of our system? Tradition doens't hold up anymore, especially since traditionally immigrants came here to stay and assimilate - that's definitely not the trend now. I don't think anyone has a right to immigrate here at all. As I've mentioned often, any immigration should be tied to jobs and American needs. As a matter of fact, American needs often are overlooked in our rush to punish. We talk about shutting down companies that employed illegals. Let's think for a moment, that could be hundreds of companies, maybe thousands. Why should the tens of millions of innocent Americans that work at these companies be punished? Imagine Enron, only this time it's Eimile in the mail room who overstayed her student visa who took down the company. I think any solution has to balance punishing the criminals with not punishing the innocent Americans. What gets overlooked in the assimilation issue is Mexican immigrants, unlike those through Paris Island or Angel Island, can drive back for the weekend. Our immigrant history is very different based on which path you took. All our heroic stories are from Ellis Island. Much of the Southwest was once Mexico, those people were not immigrants, they were basically taken over. Angel Island were many Asians coming here to build the railroads. Not too many of their stories are ever told. It's the wonderful Europeans who did everything correct. But even they settled into areas of major cities. Look around Chicago, if people assimilated, why is there China Town, Greek Town, The Southside Irish neighborhoods, the Italians around Taylor Street?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:16 AM) This is one of the greatest sports movies of all time. Incredible cast and a great time. ^^^^ Even for non Sox fans. Speaking of baseball movies, I'm hoping Sports Illustrated comes out with Chicago Cubs, A Century of Failure I have not subscribed in years, but I would just to get that movie.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:28 AM) Thanks. I just want this nightmare to be over so that I can be ABmotherf***ingD. I try not to encourage teacher's pets. They make me realize how annoying I was in college. Ha. I am getting so frustrated with one of my classes. It has finally become clear in any sort of a subjective grading he uses a personal curve, because he was expecting more from me, my grade was about the same as someone who put a Powerpoint up with U R Gonna Like This Test!!!!! ahrgggg. On the better side, my History Professor is using one of my suggestions in my on-line class. Basically for the last unit we're going to use the message boards to conduct debates on a couple topics. One question compares Jackson's popularity with Bush's. Filibuster time I've been practicing for this for several years now.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 11:25 PM) And don't you forget it. Actually we do use snow tires down here, here are a couple pics

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:14 AM) I don't have time. Too much to do. Also, my students keep "dropping in" despite me not having office hours. Seriously, I have the worst luck. But I have a nice big scarf I think I will wear over the top. Kind of clashes, but I made the scarf myself so, it will be fine. It's all about attitude. You will be great. Good luck Wait, students, swap with one or send them to the store, there has to be a teacher's pet just waiting for a suck up moment.

Wait till he wakes up with a hangover and realizes he shot the pretty one . . . Wait that's sheep.

When backpacking, I cannot give up my coffee and someone tipped me off to this new packaging for Taster's Choice. I'm reading it and thinking WTF? To Parties!? What the hell kind of crappy party is bring your own coffee? Must be a Florida thing, Jim must know.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 08:13 AM) Fudge, fudge, fudge, fudge!!!!!! After 3 months of waiting I finally have a meeting with my pre-lims committee today (which I just learned of) and of course (OF COURSE) I am wearing the most inappropriate low cut top (because I figured no one would come in today so I didn't do laundry). CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! Should I wear the clashing cardigan? Hold papers in front of my chest? Of course I also didn't wear a coat because it is unseasonably warm. AGH! How can we give advice without a picture? Is there time to run to the store? Sounds like a nice reason for a new top.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 01:17 PM) They are talking about rain switching to snow tomorrow... Damn, I am glad I don't have to fly anywhere this Thanksgiving! Texas would love to have you back

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 10:15 PM) Love Boat Captain - Pearl Jam Love the One You're With - Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 06:31 PM) A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock And Roll - Donny And Marie I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett

From the articles I read, the parents were very active in monitoring their daughter's on-line stuff. They knew of this new "friend" and were very happy about it.

Time - Pink Floyd

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 10:56 PM) Shouldn't these Nationals that are unhappy with all the border enforcement efforts be focusing their ire at the millions of illegals that are the REASON for all the enforcement? As for "Those that believe the US and Mexico should have the same laws will support Mexicans coming over without and paperwork as long as they stay in the border zone, the same as Mexico allows US citizens", once again you are raising an arguement no one else has. No one said all our laws should be the same. They do. It goes along the lines of too bad they are doing that, we'll have to spend our hundreds of millions of dollars elsewhere. Have a nice day. You are missing the point, all the focus on the illegals comes at the expense of legal tourists and the innocent Americans who rely on that trade. There are several people here who point to Mexico's laws and how Mexico handles immigration, especially from the south. here is a typical post reflecting that view. QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) I find it ironic that Mexico cries foul when we talk about border security, legal immigration, and our social policies. Yet if I was an illegal in Mexico, I couldn't get a drivers license, couldn't own land, couldn't vote, and most likely would be in jail.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 11:00 PM) I just got a new PSE Compound bow so I'll be out hunting Turkey's within the next week or so. Should be fun. Good luck. I was on a guided goose hunt with bow twenty years ago, that was a challenge.

Not certain where to put this. Who is getting out? I would really like to take a hog with bow, from the ground.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 08:54 PM) What do you mean by better remembered? Everybody remembers the 85 Bears for the Shuffle and dominance. The 72 team is still being interviewed each year. It's an answer to the trivia question. Nationally, more people will remember the '72 team then the 85 Bears. It could also be an age thing. You youngin's that get your history off the internet, versus living it.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 09:49 PM) Almost sounds like a second amendment argument there, Tex. But a serious question, how does the wall hinder the legal entry into our country. Wall or not, people are still supposed to enter at border checkpoints. They are not eliminating checkpoints, so I fail to see how a wall would stop someone from shopping (legally) at Walmart in Texas. It doesn't. It is an emotional response based in part on nationalistic pride. I wish y'all could meet some of the families I know. My analogies will fall short. Back in the 60s the Archie Bunker types would say, there are n*****s and there are black people. You know the n*****s are the ones stealing cars, raping women, hanging out on street corners and dealin' drugs, but *you*, you are a black person. And many blacks would be offended. Does that kind of make sense? In the past couple years we have increased the paper work that a Mexican National needs to cross over, both along the border, and into the interior. The so called "laser visa". It also keeps getting more and more expensive. The US spend countless tens of millions of dollars to strengthen security. Over half a million Mexicans, and close to 150,000 within 100 miles of me, bought the $100 laser visa which stores biometrics like a digital fingerprint and facial features. Less than 2% are actually being checked this way. Here is a real answer, all in place, and we are not using it. Those that believe the US and Mexico should have the same laws will support Mexicans coming over without and paperwork as long as they stay in the border zone, the same as Mexico allows US citizens. Basically both the US and Mexico recognizes two zones. The area roughly 40 miles north and south of the border. For example, Americans can drive into Mexico without any extra paperwork, as long as we stay within the border region. If we go past their interior checkpoint, we must have a temporary import certification for our cars. Mexicans have a similar restriction when they get here, but it is more involved.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 19, 2007 -> 05:34 PM) I don't think anyone would have actually believed him had the CIA not requested the DOJ investigate a couple months after that column came out. details details

Looking at the list, McCain is the only one with national campaigning experience. I still see him as the consensus.

in person

There are only a few candidates I would like to see live. Obama, because he seems electrifying. Hillary because of Rex's comments, McCain, and possibly Thompson.